ID Parasite Eggs

The modified McMaster’s fecal egg count is a quantitative method used for examining strongyle and ascarid populations where large numbers of eggs are encountered. Eggs from other parasites, including tapeworms, are less informative, and typically are just noted as being present or absent. Therefore, here are our primary targets:

Strongyles:
The eggs of large strongyles are indistinguishable from those of small strongyles. All members of the order Strongylida (including strongyles in horses and Trichostrongyles in ruminants) will produce eggs that are very similar in appearance. This makes identification through the use of egg morphology difficult, if not impossible. Often times they are identified simply as Strongyle-type eggs.

Ascarid:
Unlike stronglyes, thick-shelled Ascarid eggs are resistant to freezing and drying and can therefore survive for long periods in the environment. The outer layer is sticky and ensures that eggs will be present almost everywhere in a horse’s environment.

See Image Examples to get a better sense of what you are and are not looking for in your FEC.

Don’t Guess... Test!

Imagine taking a cold medicine every 6-8 weeks to make sure you don’t get sick?

Rotational deworming every few months was thought to be the best way to control parasite infestations in horses. Unfortunately, this has led to drug resistant parasites. No new class of anthelmintics “deworming medications” have reached the market in the last 25 years and no new medications are currently in development. The future of our livestock depends on the choices we make today. Be sure to Test First!

There is a new parasite paradigm – Test First!

Join the fight against resistant parasites...

Years of blindly administering chemicals has created the Superworm! Learn more.